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“Valerie (f/ Amy Winehouse)” – Mark Ronson
(Words/music: The Zutons, available on Version, Columbia 2007)

I have little to no interest in Amy Winehouse’s story.  I’m a sucker for backstory, but Winehouse’s sounds like it would just make me angry.  That being said, I think she has a killer voice, and I understand why producer Mark Ronson would work with someone like her.  She possesses a unique voice that oozes personality, immediately attracting attention.  The Zutons’ “Valerie” seems like the perfect star vehicle for her.  Ronson surrounds her with his snappy, soulful production that allows Winehouse to assume the spotlight.  Where the Zutons performed it as a mid-tempo stomp, Ronson and Winehouse turn it into a romp, complete with horns and a lively beat.

My favorite part of the song, no matter how lively it sounds, is that neither Ronson’s production nor Winehouse’s vocals sound rushed.  Ronson stirs up a groove that moves without feeling like it rushes.  His drummer (or his drum machine – I honestly can’t tell, so a credit to him if he’s pulling a fast one on me) sits in that pocket slightly behind the beat.  It’s not dragging; instead, it makes the track feel settled rather than rushed.  It’s a testament to Ronson’s production style that he can make his track feel like it’s played by a well-rehearsed house band.  It might turn some people off, but it’s hard to argue against his abilities as a producer.  Additionally, Winehouse embellishes on the melody a fair amount, yet she never feels like she’s going all out.  Rather than sounding “phoned in,” Winehouse sounds relaxed and even fun as she’s singing the song.  When she does climb up into the higher parts of her register, it’s to serve the song rather than flaunt her vocal prowess.  For someone who comes across so tortured in the media, Winehouse feels like she’s having fun on this one, leading me to think what Back to Black might sound like once she (or rather, if she ever) settles her demons.  She has the potential to become this generation’s most powerful voice if she chooses to put her energy into music.

More on Mark Ronson: Allmusic | Amazon MP3 | Emusic | Last.fm